The Xbox 360 controller has the same basic familiar button layout as the Controller S except that a few of the auxiliary buttons have been moved. The "back" and "start" buttons have been moved to a more central position on the face of the controller, and the "white" and "black" buttons have been removed and replaced with two new bumpers that are positioned over the analog triggers on the back of the controller. The controller has a 2.5 mm TRS connector on the front, allowing users to connect a headset for voice communication.[3] It also features a proprietary serial connector [4] (which is split into 2 parts on either side of the headset connector) for use with additional accessories, such as the chatpad.

On August 31, 2010, Microsoft's Larry Hryb (a.k.a. Major Nelson) revealed a new design of the Xbox 360 controller which is set to replace the Wireless controller bundled with the Play & Charge Kit. Among small changes such as the shape of the analog stick tops and grey-colored face buttons, the new controller features an adjustable directional pad which can be changed between a disc type D-pad or a plus shaped D-pad. The control pad was released in North America exclusively with Play & Charge Kits on November 9, 2010 and was released in Europe during February 2011.[5]

The Xbox 360 controller provides a standard USB Human interface device software interface, but is designed for the Microsoft XInput interface library.[6] Although many PC video games support the XInput library, some games might not work with this controller. See the List of XInput enabled games for more details.

A standard Xbox 360 controller features eleven* digital buttons, two analog triggers, two analog sticks and a digital D-pad. The right face of the controller features four digital actions buttons; a green "A" button, red "B" button, blue "X" button, and amber "Y" button. The lower right houses the right analog stick, in lower left is a digital D-pad and on the left face is the left analog stick. Both analog sticks can also be "clicked in" to activate a digital button beneath. In the center of the controller face are digital "Start", "Back" and "Guide" buttons. The "Guide" button is labelled with the Xbox logo, and is used to turn on the console/controller and to access the guide menu. It is also surrounded by the "ring of light", which indicates the controller number, as well as flashing when connecting and to provide notifications. The left and right "shoulders" each feature a digital shoulder button, or "bumper", and an analog trigger.

Xbox 360 guide button.

*Wireless controllers also feature an additional "connect" button located between the "bumpers" to facilitate syncing with the console.

Wired controllers are only available in white and black (Xbox 360 S color scheme).[7] However, wireless controllers are available in numerous different colors including:

White controllers were bundled with the Arcade and Pro consoles; also sold separately.

Black controllers came with the Elite to match the case; also sold separately.

Dark Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (US only)

Light Blue controllers were released in October 2007 (Europe and Japan only)

Pink controllers were also released in October 2007.

Black S and White S controllers are bundled with Xbox 360 S consoles. These differ from their original counterparts in that they are completely one color, rather than with grey accents. The guide button has a mirror like finish, and the analog sticks and D-pad are color matched. The bottom edge of this controller also features a gloss finish to match the Xbox 360 S 250 GB case design. "S" controllers also replace the Microsoft branding above the charging port with an Xbox 360 logo.

"Spartan Green" controllers were included with the Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 systems released in September 2007.

"Limited Edition" "Spartan"[8] and "Brute"[9] controllers were released in September 2007. Two versions were available, each of which feature Halo 3 themed artwork (with either a "Spartan" or "Brute" design) from artist Todd McFarlane. Each version of the controller also included a Master Chief Figurine (a different figure was included with each version).

Red "Limited Edition" controllers were released in September 2008. The controller features 'black accents' with the D-Pad, analog sticks, triggers and parts of the casing all changed to black instead to the usual gray. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with a red rechargeable battery pack. The red controller is also included with the Limited Edition Resident Evil Xbox 360 Elite console released in March 2009. As of May 2010, this controller is still available to buy, so it is unknown how limited it will be.

Green "Limited Edition" controllers were released in mid October 2008 in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The green controller has a direction pad with 16-way functionality, instead of the 8-way direction pad used on all previous controllers.[10] This controller was released alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.

Dragon Design "Limited Edition" White and Black controllers were released in October 2008 and are available only through Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.[11] The controller features a black dragon (and other symbols) on a white background, along with a white D-pad and black analog sticks. It comes bundled with a black wired headset.

Halo 3: ODST "Special Edition" controllers were released in September 2009 in a "Collector's Pack" including the Halo 3: ODST game. The pack was originally exclusive to GameStop and retailed for US$99.99 in North America.[12]

Radioactive Design "Exclusive" controllers were released in October 2009 and are available exclusively at GameStop, or (in Australia) at EB Games. The design features a carbon black pad with a red radiation symbol emanating from the right analog stick. The left analog stick is black and the right analog stick and D-pad are red. This controller was announced at Major Nelson's website[13] and is said to be limited edition although the packaging makes no reference to this. It comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit with a black rechargeable battery pack.

Halo: Reach "Special Edition" controllers are to be released on September 14, 2010, coinciding with the game's release. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, d-pad, battery pack, etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) with the matte black shell replaced with a satin silver shell, which also features a custom design based on the game. It will be available separately and with the Halo: Reach Special Edition console bundle, which will come bundled with two of the controllers.[14]

Fable III "Special Edition" controllers were released on October 5, 2010, 3 weeks before the release of Fable III itself. The controller is based around the Black S design (black analog sticks, d-pad etc.; glossy black front; shiny guide button) and features a custom gold-colored shell and artwork. It also comes bundled with an exclusive downloadable tattoo set for use within the game.[15]

Blue controllers were released in a bundle with Call of Duty: Ghosts and Black Ops II and a 500 GB Blue Xbox 360 and both the console and the controller had Arctic Blue accents and was released on October 7, 2014 exclusively at Walmart for a limited time.

Transforming d-pad special edition controller in "8-way" configuration. The d-pad in "4-way" configuration is shown in the bottom right corner.

Transforming d-pad "special edition" controllers were released in the US on November 9, 2010 and in Europe during February 2011.[16] The main feature of this controller is a d-pad that can be rotated to adapt to the user's gameplay, becoming either a "plus" (4-way) or a "disk" (8-way) d-pad. The controller also features new concave analog stick tops and grey tone face buttons (A, B, X and Y). The main shell of the controller is matte silver, with gloss black accents (triggers, bumpers and both front and rear panels) like the "Black S" design and a matte black battery pack. This controller comes bundled with a (matte) black improved Play & Charge Kit, offering up to 35 hours of play; it is not available sans the play and charge kit.[17] The codename for the controller during development was "Aberdeen".[18]

Gears of War 3 "Limited Collector's Edition" controllers were released on September 20, 2011 to coincide with the launch of Gears of War 3. The controllers are metallic red with a black "Infected Omen" symbol and feature a transforming d-pad. Unlike the "Transforming D-Pad" Special Edition controller, the Gears of War 3 LCE controller features the standard colored face buttons and analog stick tops found on other controllers.[19]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 "Limited Edition" controllers were released on November 8, 2011 in North America, Australasia and the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) region. It features custom Modern Warfare 3 artwork (predominantly matte grey), a transforming d-pad and the same concave analog stick tops found on the original transforming d-pad controller. All (non-face) buttons, as well as the analog sticks, are black.[20]

Star Wars C-3PO "Limited Edition" controllers were released in April 2012 as part of a limited edition Star Wars console bundle.[21] The controller is mirrored gold and black, and features a transforming d-pad.[21] The black panel at the front of the controller also features "wiring" artwork, resembling the parts of C-3PO that are not covered in gold plating in the original Star Wars movies.[21]

Chrome Series "Special Edition" controllers were released in May 2012.[22] The chrome series controllers are available in six colors: Blue, Red, Silver, Gold, Black and Purple.[22] These controllers feature standard colored face buttons.[22]

Halo 4 "Limited Edition" controllers were released in November 2012.[23] Two different controllers are available:

UNSC Halo 4 "Limited Edition" controllers were released in November 2012. These feature the United Nations Space Command (UNSC) emblem on a dark grey translucent case, and also feature the glowing blue Xbox Guide button.[23]

Black S controllers with a transforming d-pad, concave analog sticks and bundled with a play and charge kit were released in October 2012.[24]

Tomb Raider "Limited Edition" controllers were released in early March 2013 to complement the launch of Tomb Raider. The controllers are red and feature a two layer color finish with laser etching to create a realistic and tactile warn appearance inspired by Lara's climbing axe from the game. The controllers also come bundled with a downloadable token for an Xbox 360 exclusive playable Tomb Raider character.[25]

Launch Team Edition controllers were bundled with the "Xbox 360 - Launch Team Edition", given exclusively to members of the Xbox launch team by Microsoft in November 2005. These white wireless controllers feature green accents at the front in place of the standard grey.[26]

Yellow controllers were included with the 100 Limited Edition The Simpsons Movie Xbox 360 systems announced in May 2007, and given away as prizes in special events and promotions.[27]

Orange LIVE TURNS FIVE controllers were released in November 2007, and were given away to selected members of the media.[28]

The Xbox 360 controller has a guide button in the center of its face that provides a new functionality. This button is surrounded by a ring of lights divided into four quadrants that provide gamers with different types of information during game play. For instance, during a split screen multiplayer match, a particular quadrant will light up to indicate to a player which part of the screen he or she is playing on at that time. In this case, when the user pushes the button, he or she accesses the Xbox guide; a menu which provides access to features like messaging friends, downloading content, voice chat and customizing soundtracks, while staying in the game. The Guide button also allows users to turn off the controller or the console by holding the button for a few seconds (rather than simply pressing it).

The Rechargeable Battery Pack is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, which provides up to 24 hours of continuous gaming for the wireless controller. It is recommended in place of disposable AA batteries, which differ slightly in voltage and have higher disposal costs (financial and environmental). It ships as part of, and can be charged by, the Play & Charge Kit and the Quick Charge Kit. To fully charge the battery pack takes approximately 2 hours with the Quick Charge Kit; the Play & Charge Kit takes longer (and depends on whether the controller is being used). An upgraded, 35-hour version is included with "transforming d-pad" controllers.

The Wireless Gaming Receiver (sold as "Crossfire Wireless Gaming Receiver" in the UK) allows wireless Xbox 360 accessories, such as wireless gamepads, racing wheels and headsets, to be used on a Windows-based PC.[29] The device acts in a similar manner to an Xbox 360, allowing up to 4 controllers and 4 headsets at a time to be connected to the receiver. The device has a 30 foot (10 meter) range and a six foot (2 meter) USB cable.[30] It is specifically designed to work with games bearing the "Games for Windows" logo, but will function with most games that permit a standard PC gamepad. The official Xbox website noted that the adapter will work with "all future wireless devices".[31]

The Messenger Kit consists of a wired Xbox 360 headset and a small keyboard known as the "Chatpad". The Chatpad connects to the front of the controller and may be used for any standard text input on the console. It is not currently compatible with the wireless gaming receiver.